Cost of Living in Hawaii
Hawaii has 10 cities with cost-of-living data on CompareLiving, drawn from US Census, BEA, HUD, and EPA sources. Median rent is lowest in Hilo at $1,427/mo and highest in East Honolulu at $3,313/mo.
Hawaii at a Glance
Cities Tracked
10
with census data
Avg Cost Index
N/A
US avg = 100
Avg Median Rent
$2,235
per month
Avg Household Income
$118,513
annual median
Popular Cities in Hawaii
Explore Hawaii Cities in Depth
Climate & Weather in Hawaii
Healthcare & Hospitals in Hawaii
Neighborhoods in Hawaii
Jobs & Industries in Hawaii
Hawaii Cities — Full Table
Click columns to sort
| Urban Honolulu | 345,482 | — | $1,823 | $843,400 | $86,504 |
| East Honolulu | 51,360 | — | $3,313 | $1,212,000 | $159,518 |
| Hilo | 50,404 | — | $1,427 | $483,000 | $81,779 |
| Pearl City | 44,547 | — | $2,316 | $901,500 | $118,112 |
| Waipahu | 40,482 | — | $1,658 | $868,600 | $103,895 |
| Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) | 39,640 | — | $3,093 | $1,353,700 | $148,582 |
| Kaneohe | 37,355 | — | $2,269 | $1,029,700 | $125,613 |
| Kahului | 28,288 | — | $1,488 | $862,600 | $98,077 |
| Mililani Town | 27,668 | — | $2,384 | $923,900 | $127,363 |
| Ewa Gentry | 26,563 | — | $2,580 | $816,000 | $135,684 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100) · Income & Rent = US Census ACS
Compare Hawaii cities head-to-head
Use our comparison tool to put any two cities side by side. Or explore national rankings to see how Hawaii cities stack up across the US. For example, Urban Honolulu vs East Honolulu.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in Hawaii
What is the cost of living in Hawaii?
Cost of living varies significantly across cities in Hawaii. Use the table below to compare individual cities.
What are the cheapest cities to live in Hawaii?
City-level cost index data for Hawaii is being compiled. Check back soon.
What is the median rent in Hawaii?
The average median gross rent across cities in Hawaii is approximately $2,235/month. Rent varies significantly by city and neighborhood — use the city profiles below for specific figures.
What are the income tax rates in Hawaii?
State income tax information for Hawaii is not yet available in our database.
What is the sales tax in Hawaii?
Sales tax information for Hawaii is not yet available in our database.
Is it expensive to move to Hawaii?
Check individual city profiles in Hawaii to estimate your cost of living. Our moving guides offer salary adjustment calculators for popular corridors.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, Tax Foundation · Methodology